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User Testing

Until an application has undergone user testing, it is not possible to confidently say whether or not it is truly effective and useful. User testing can provide insights into how people may use a system, in contrast to how you may envisage them using it. Those who develop a system may find it easy to use and understand because they have been using it over the period it was developed, and thus are unable to give an unbiased evaluation of a system. They are too familiar with it.

In a user test a number of people, representative of the final intended users of an application, use it and give feedback. Usually, they will be observed and asked questions to determine if the design of an application is logical, understandable and usable, and if there were any flaws and inconsistencies.

The main motivation for user testing this system was to evaluate the desirability of a pen-base


Steve Smithies
1999-11-13